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(No Model.)

J. LAMONT.

. WATCH CASE.

No. 297,421. Patented. Apr. 22, 1884.

' Inwzflar Jhwwalamouif UNITED STATES ATENT Trice,

JAMES LAMONT, OF SAG HARBOR, NEXV YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE FAHYS WATCH CASE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

WATCH-CASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 297,4:21, dated April 22, 188%.

I Application filed March 22, 1884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES LAMONT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Sag Harbor, in the county of Suffolk and State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Vatchcs, of which the following is a specification.

\Vatch cases as hitherto ordinarily constructed have consisted of a band'or ring, to

IO which are hinged or upon which are supported the face or front cap, the exterior back cap,

and the interior back cap. The placing in or removal from such cases is attended with difficulty, requiring careful and skillful manipulation, making it difficult to readily inspect the movement or to exhibit it after casing.

At the same time the number of joints in the exterior case, there being both back and front caps hinged to or supported upon the band or ring, increases the danger of dust or other disturbing matters penetrating to the interior of the case.

The object of this invention is to remedy or obviate these objections, the exterior case be- 2 5 ing made so as to present but a single line of opening upon its exterior, while the works are contained in a band or ring provided with a back cap and hinged to the outer case, so that it may be readily turned therefrom and present the movement in position for ready inspection, while the movement may be readily, easily, and reliably secured in this inner ring. In accomplishing these objects an outer back cap is made integral with the outer ring or band itself, and to it is pivoted or otherwise secured in any of the ways therefor well known in the art, the face or front cap, which may be solid or crystal, as desired. These two parts constitute the entire exterior case.

Within this exterior case isplaced a band or ring of such size as to fit readily therein and to contain the movement. It is pivoted to the back cap of the exterior case by an axis or pintle parallel to the stem or pendant, and is 4 5 provided upon its front with the ordinary crystal and bezel for retaining the crystal in position. Upon the interior of its periphery, and at this front edge, below the bezel, a shoulder is formed, upon which the front plate of the movement is seated, screws or pins passing through the side of the ring to hold the move ment within the ring. Upon the back of the ring is secured a cap, fitting thereon by a bezel or snap, or in any of the well-known ways, and forming with the ring and front plate of the movement an efficient and thorough. protection for the movement. The pendant is attached to the inner ring, and a recess is formed in the ring portion of the back cap or exterior ring just sufficient to snugly receive a portion of the stem of the pendant, the closure of the front cap upon its seat retaining the inner ring or band securely within the exterior ring or band and case.

The construction thus generally described may be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a case embodying my improvements; Fig. 2, a sectional view thereof; Fig. 3, a plan view with the inner case shut in.

The outer case proper consists of two parts I a back cap, 7, with which is formed integral what is known as the ring or band in the ordinary cases, and a front cap, 8. This front cap is here shown'as a rim containing a glass or crystal, and hinged to the cap 7. It is to be understood, however, that the materials used and the modes of fastening may be any of those known and used. For instance, the cases and caps may be of metal, celluloid, rubber, shell, 850., while the fastenings may be hinges, mere snaps, or bezels, screw-threads, &O. Upon the interior of 7 is hinged at 9 the inner ring or band, 1, of a size to fit easily therein and to contain a watch-movement, the front thereof being provided with the customary glass or crystal, 3, secured in position by the bezel 11, formed on the front edge of the ring or band. Upon the back thereof is secured the inner back cap 2, which may be of metal or any desired material. Upon the in- 'terior, and near its front, a shoulder, 10, is

formed, upon whichis to take the front plate 12 of the movement, the front and back plates 11 and 12 of the movement being shown in Fig. 2. Screws or pins pass through the ring or band into the back plate 12, and secure the movement in position. If to be used with a key winder or setter, the proper key-holes are I00 made in the inner back cap, 2, to permit access to the winding and setting posts. I attach the pendant 4, provided with the customary crown, 5, and ring, 6, to the inner ring or band, a portion of the pendant being formed into the plain stem 13. A recess, 14, is made in the ring portion of the back cap 7 of a size just sufficient to receive stem 13, the latter fitting snugly therein and closing it tightly when in position.

The operationof these devices is readily understood. The movement being placed and secured within the ring 1, the back cap closed, and the crystal front in cap in position, the ring is turned down within 7, the stem 13 fittingin and filling 14, when, the front cap being shut, it retains and holds the ring and contained movement within the outer case.

If at any time it be desired to inspect the movement, the cap Sis opened, when ring 1 can be turned outward and its cap opened. At the same time there is but one exterior opening, and the movenientis protectcdin the dust-proof inner ring and attached parts.

This construction involves simplicity, ease of manipulation, and absence of danger of derangement of the parts, forming a durable, reliable wearing case for a watch-movement.

It will be noticed that the construction described always insures that when the inner case containing the movement is turned outwardly it is turned at a right angle to the stem or pendanta great advantage, in that great ease of manipulation in turning the inner case outward or in turning it back into position is secured, while the hand of the operator grasping the pendant or stem is in such position relatively to the case as not to obscure it or interfere with its inspection, and capability is provided for ready and easy removal or replacement of the movement for any purpose.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim isi 1. In a Watch-case, the combination of a outer case, a suitable pendant or stem attached to an inner case, an inner case hinged to the outer case upon an axis or pintle parallel with the pendant or stem, and adapted to be opened on said hinge, substantially as described.

2. In a watolrcase, the combination of an inner case for carrying the movement, a suitable pendant or stem attached to the inner case, and an outer case composed of two parts secured together, the outer and inner cases having a hinged connection upon an axis or pintle parallel with the stem or pendant,wl.1ereby the inner case may be turned outwardly from the outer case at a right angle to the stem for pendant, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES LAMONT.

Vitncsses:

F. S. SHERRY, HENRY F. COOK. 

